November 12, 2012

Using Rub 'n Buff, Is Gilding The New Trend?

Have you noticed that gilding seems to be making a come back?


It's showing up more and more in furniture refinishing  

Gilding refers to any metallic finish, usually gold leaf.  I heard about Rub 'n Buff, so I bought a tube at Hobby Lobby for $3.99 and decided to give it a try

I started with this estate sale find


I painted it with an "Opps" light pink paint that I made into chalk paint with a little plaster of paris and water


 After I painted and gave it a light distressing...(Yes, I'm seeing gilding and distressing together in transformations) I applied rub and buff by putting a dab on my fingertip and rubbing it around the edge...That's not my finger, it's the picture on the packaging, mine are short and stubby LOL!


BUT WAIT!  When I put clear Minwax over the whole table to seal it, some of the gold rubbed off...SO..


....I learned, the Rub 'n Buff has to go on after the wax


I'm not sure I LOVE it?   Maybe I'm just slow to embrace a new (Old) trend.  I am going to price this table at $32 and put it in my booth at Orange Tree....I wonder how fast it will sell.

What do you think, have you done any furniture transformations with gilding?  Do you like the look?

Happy Creating
Carol 

Partying with Miss Mustard Seed

41 comments:

Ido said...

Carol, I love that table, and yes I like gilding, I think it will sell very fast. Thank you for the tips on the rubb'n buff.
XXX Ido

Terra said...

I like the table and it turned out lovely. Gilding is fabulous, I can see.

Into Vintage said...

Thanks so much for sharing about the rub'n'buff. I want to do a little gilding on chalkboard frames and wasn't sure where to start or what to use. I love your results (and it's so pretty paired with pink).

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

I do like the look, and your little table looks great Carol. I got some rib and buff a few weeks ago, just need to use it:)

Blessings,
Linda

Anonymous said...

now that is so sweet,

Holly Loves Art said...

It's a lovely table Carol. Someone will snatch it up right away!

Connie said...

I think your table is lovely . . . and a huge difference in the before look. You are so talented. I can always count on coming here and seeing something amazing:)
I will be publishing a new post today and linking them back to your site and your fabric flower candle tutorial.
Have a great day. Connie :)

Biljana said...

So elegant, french chic and pretty. Great job!;-) Hugs, Biljana

Maureen Wyatt said...

Last week I tried to buy Rub n Buff at my local Michaels but they didn't have it. I may have to wait until I make a trip to the States. I don't love a ton of guilding but it can be nice on an intricate piece. ~ Maureen

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I love it, Carol! I just redid a candlestick today with Antoinette chalk paint {which is a light pink} and my antique gold rub n buff for that gilded look. I have done, I think, one piece of furniture where I tried it, but I was trying to be subtle on the edge, which can be tough to do when it gets all over your finger!

❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ said...

I've been seeing the rub 'n' buff being used here and there but, like you, I don't know if I'm liking it or not. Maybe for others but not quite my style.
Your piece is cute though :)

Rebecca Nelson said...

Truthfully I haven't paid attention to whether or not guilding is coming back. Probably is and I'm too busy BLOGGING to notice! :)

Table looks fab! LOVE IT!

xoR

Gina said...

I think it looks great!
This style is pretty much what I grew up with. My mom is all about the gilding!

Bonnie said...

I love it and have quite a few colors...I just did an off white chalk paint primer and then used BM some white on the top...like to make my own rules on a Drexel little table/cabinet with one drawer. I'm thinking of taking your advice and gliding it with turquoise. If it turns out - I'll show ya!!! Thanks for letting me know it in!!!

Shabby chic Sandy said...

I learned the same rub n buff lesson...after the wax!

I love what you did with this little table and you are right--the gliding does seem to be so back in. Funny how things go in and out :)

Little Miss Maggie said...

Carol, I personally love a gold trim and have used Rub n' Buff numerous times. Good to know about the waxing and then rubbing the gold on. I know it rubs off if you apply stain to it as well. Your table looks great and I bet you sell it fast.

Createology said...

Your little table is lovely. Yes, it would appear that everything old is new again...even gilding and Rub'n Buff. Did you need to apply a sealer to the gold after you applied it? I wonder about dusting and cleaning...not that I do much of either. Bahahaha Happy Sales to you...

marda said...

I love your little table. I think I like the gilding in small doses. You have just the right amount I think. I imagine your sweet table will sell rather quickly. How cute in a girl's room who loves her pink.

fixitfaerie said...

Hi Carol, I think this piece is a sweet little piece. Someone into french or shabby chic will pick up this piece fast. Thanks for sharing about the wax and rub and buff. Blessings Paula

Melodee said...

I love the gilding and distressing together! great look!

Unknown said...

I love this!!! And gilding works so well with this! I dunno, I really think it brings out the carving! :D

Hugs,

PastMastery said...

I use this product all the time, though here in the U.K. I use liquid leaf and gilt cream.

I think the thing to do is use it sparingly.

I recently painted and gilded an old MDF demi lune table and just used it as highlights....it turned out beautifully.It's wonderful for picking out the detail on carved or moulded frames - been doing this for years.... but again only a little.

It goes a long way - and yes....you get a sore finger! LOL
Sue

Debbie said...

I had no clue that it was making a comeback. I am so out of the loop. Honestly, I never start to jump "in" until something is nearly "out".

I think you did a beautiful job with this. I like the distressing with the gilding better than just regular gilding.

Connie@shabbyforsure said...

Hi Carol, I love how your little table turned out. I've been thinking about getting some Rub 'n Buff. Have a great day...Connie

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

I think it looks great! It will fly out the door at that price :)

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol,
It looks really pretty and elegant. Love the distressing. Yes, I have seen some gilding in my design books. I have done similar but used gold metalic acrylic paint before the sealer. Thank you for the info about using this product after the wax.

Happy Creating,
Celestina Marie
p.s. oh my gosh, you are on major wedding countdown now!!!

Unknown said...

I think your new table is sweet Carol. I have almost completed my first furniture redo since beginning to follow your blog last spring. Do you use minwax spray poly or just the wax. I created plaster appliques using your clay technique and I think it looks great!!

angdersquire@shaw.ca

pipigirl said...

havent yet, but got something im thinking this would really work for. thanks. AGAIN:) susy

Unknown said...

It definitely gives that rustic rich look.

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

Carol, you are on the cutting edge of trends. This really looks good. Thanks for the tips.

Sweet Woodruff said...

Actually, with the gilding rubbing off a little, I like it more that way. I would have never known and it makes it look old. Mistakes are good. :)

Little Susie Home Maker said...

I think it looks great! I wonder how fast it will sell? Thanks for the tips with the Rub n Buff.
Blessings,
Susie

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet table. I think the romantics will be looking hard at that one.......
I had a similar experience with the rub-on gold. I had painted an old mirror frame and one of those gold plastic shelves with all the curly-cues. Used the homemade with plaster of paris in latex paint in a color much like duck egg. The gold came off when I started waxing the frame, so I skipped the wax and just replaced the gold. With the little shelf (syrocco?) underneath it looks super. With the shelf I made the mistake of not doing the gold part right after the paint dried. In 2 days it had cured, so I had to use plenty of pressure with a rag and a little delicate rubbing w/ sandpaper to rub off the paint. The shelf was all gold underneath, too. I learned the hard way not to let the paint cure. Just get the job done and move on to the next project. Live and learn.

Chenille Cottage said...

Hi Carol...I'm not sure if my comment successfully came through. If it did, I wasn't quite finished. I hadn't signed it off yet. In case you didn't receive it...I truly love your little table and the guilding is perfect for those lovely legs.
Have a happy day, my friend.
Carolynn xo

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Things are always changing, so I guess adding the gilding is the next thing. I think it will have to grow on me a bit, but you did a great job on the table. It's sure to sell soon!

Ivy and Elephants said...

I love your little table, and yes, I see the trend going toward the gold bling. You gave it just the right pop!
Hugs,
Patti

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
I think the tables gonna fly outta your booth, it is darling! I love your pink oops paint, and the gilding is gorgeous, I have tried to use rubb and buff, now I think I'm gonna have to dig it out and give it another go, haha!
Hugs,
Bella

Debra Ganas said...

I guessing that table is already sold. It is adorable! Love the paint and techniques. Don't you just love Oops paint?

Debra

Debbiedoos said...

I have to try this stuff...I love the look!

Jamie @ Domestically Vintage said...

I think you did a beautiful job with the table! I love all your work though. :) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ~ Jamie

kristiB said...

Carol, this little table reminds me of Marie Antionette. I LOVE it!!! Was looking for some examples of chalk paint on your blog, and this is an excellent piece, sigh....... i think I'm in love! ;)